In Islam, apostasy is commonly defined as the rejection in words or action of one’s religion by a person who was previously a Muslim. As simple as this might sound, the definition is quite broad and could include not only renouncing Islam, but also criticising or defaming the religion and ‘attempting’ to lead others away from it. It is also broad enough to include liberal and progressive Muslims who challenge traditional Islamic thoughts. Cases such as that of the late Egyptian thinker Nasr Hamid Abu-zaid who fled the country after being charged with apostasy for his critical Islamic writings and Sudanese theologian Mahmoud M. Taha who was hanged in the centre of Khartoum for expressing his progressive Islamic thoughts are just two examples among many others. Terms such as Kafir/a, Murtad/a and Zendeeg/a are specifically designed to label individuals who challenge Islam and to encourage action to be taken towards them. Ebn Warraq spells this out in his book ‘Leaving Islam: Apostates Speak out’.

As I am speaking now, more than 19 Islamic states and Muslim-majority countries consider apostasy to be illegal and to merit a form of punishment. Many of these, including Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Somalia, Afghanistan, Qatar, Yemen and Mauritania have a death penalty for those who renounce or criticize Islam. Other countries like Malaysia, Morocco, Jordan and Oman consider it illegal and have in place other forms of punishments, such as fines, imprisonment, flogging and exclusion from civic or family rights like child custody.

Through the trial process, apostates are usually given a chance to publicly repent. They have to declare their guilt and vow never to repeat this act. The cases of Saudi Arabian journalist Hamza Alkashgari and the 129 Sudanese in south Khartoum are among those reported to have been forced to publicly repent to avoid the death penalty. If those charged insist upon apostasy, the court will then implement a punishment. This could be a fine, a prison term or a number of lashings. Failure of the authorities to take action means that groups and individuals can take it upon themselves to carry out a sentence. Random apostasy Fatwas by Imams and attacks by organised groups such as the ‘El-Shabab’ movement in Somalia, ‘Amr blmaroof w nahy an Elmonkr’ in Saudi Arabia and ‘Buku Haram’ in Nigeria are usually accepted and not questioned by local authorities.

To conclude, calling people apostates and ‘kofar’ while it is jailable and punishable by death in most Islamic states is not freedom of speech. It is shameful enough still having such laws in practise in an era of enlightenment, let alone having apologetic lefties and pro-Islamism liberals who justify this behaviour. We are indeed facing a long battle against religious dogma and discrimination until these disgraceful laws are dismissed and attitudes are changed. But let’s ensure that in the meantime authorities, groups and individuals who use these labels as weapons to silence others or to justify their existence are also challenged and embarrassed in public. There is no gray area here – you either condemn apostasy or you don’t.

http://www.facebook.com/matthew.blott Matthew Blott

Well said and you have my full support.

Skeptic

If only it was Richard Dawkins commanding apostates be killed, then it might make it into the mainstream press!

Newspaniard

All leaders of the 3 main UK political parties have shown themselves to be islamophiles so watch out for the introduction of more sharia law after the 2015 elections

Hass

Good article. I hope to see more people become Apostates. As for those cowards in the West who support the death penalty for Apostates, they’re the scummiest of people.

Ex-Muslim

julietsm

It is absolutely ridiculous that in the 21st century that you could be criminalized and punished for having different views.
Native Brits are criminalised and punished for criticising Islam ALL THE TIME. Aren’t they the protected species of the Leftists?
It is YOUR kind that criminalise and punish them.
Ironic, isn’t it?